London mosques get listed status celebrating Muslim heritage

(FILES) In this file photo taken on July 15, 2005 Muslims kneel at London's Central Mosque in Regents Park during Friday's prayers.
Two London mosques were given special listed status on March 13, 2018, in recognition of their architectural and historic importance, in a move a government minister said celebrated "the rich heritage of Muslim communities in England". / AFP PHOTO / Carl DE SOUZA

LONDON, March 14 — Two London mosques were given special listed status today in recognition of their architectural and historic importance, in a move a government minister said celebrated “the rich heritage of Muslim communities in England”.

The London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in Regent’s Park, central London, and the Fazl Mosque in the southwest of the British capital were both listed as Grade II buildings by the government’s culture department.

The special Grade II status is awarded to just 5.8 per cent of approximately 500,000 listed buildings in England, marking them out as particularly important sites and giving them greater protection.